Anal sex is often done to increase sexual satisfaction or avoid pregnancy. However, there are health risks to be aware of when doing so.
Anal sex is sexual activity in the anal area which generally includes, penetration of the penis into the anus, penetration of fingers or sex toys into the anus, or oral sex which is performed by stimulating the anus using the mouth or tongue.
The Danger Behind Anal Sex
The anus is a very sensitive organ because it is filled with nerve endings so that it can be a pleasurable area of sexual stimulation for some people. However, this pleasure is also not without risk.
Here are the dangers behind anal sex that you need to be aware of:
1. Get a sexually transmitted disease
Compared to other sexual activities, anal sex that involves penetration into the anus, either through the penis, fingers, or mouth, can increase your risk for sexually transmitted diseases, such as:
- HIV
- genital herpes
- Genital warts
- chlamydia
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis A
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
This is because the lining of the anus is very thin and does not have a natural lubricant, making it prone to injury. Anal sores allow bacteria and viruses to easily enter the blood vessels thereby accelerating the spread of infection.
You need to know that using lubricants in anal sex will not prevent the risk of injury to the anus.
In addition, even if you or your partner who stimulates or penetrates do not have a sexually transmitted disease, there are bacteria that naturally live in the anus, so there is still a risk of contracting it.
What's more, if sexual intercourse is carried out from the anus to the vagina. This has great potential to cause transfer of bacteria and trigger urinary tract infections.
2. Weakens the anal muscle ring
The anus is designed with ring-like muscles to regulate bowel movements. This muscle ring is called sphincter. The ring of the anal muscles opens during a bowel movement and closes after a bowel movement is complete.
Repeated anal sex in the long term can weaken this muscle, putting the risk of causing the recipient of anal sex to have difficulty controlling bowel movements.
3. Irritating hemorrhoids
Although rare, the process of anal penetration of the penis can irritate existing hemorrhoids and ulcers in the colon. This is a dangerous condition that requires medical treatment, such as antibiotics to prevent infection or even surgery.
How to Minimize the Risks of Anal Sex
Given the many and high risks of anal sex, you should consider this. However, if you still want to have anal sex, here are ways to minimize those risks:
- Wear a condom to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases when having anal sex penetration.
- Use a water-based lubricant, not an oil-based one, such as lotion or moisturizer, as this can cause the latex condom to leak.
- Change condoms if you want to penetrate the vagina or vice versa, to avoid urinary tract infections due to transfer of bacteria from the anus to the vagina.
- Make sure the anal area is clean.
- Gently insert the penis or sex toy.
- Stop immediately if anal sex is painful.
- Do Kegel exercises which are known to help repair the weakened anal muscle ring due to anal sex.
If you are the recipient of anal sex, after having this sex for the first or second time, you may experience bleeding from your anus. If the bleeding gets worse and continues until the third time, immediately consult a doctor so that appropriate treatment is given.
In addition, you are also advised to consult a doctor if you experience health problems after having anal sex.